Humans Are Awesome

by NightwatchTheRogue

Act 1 Ch 3: ... and I finally have a purpose and a way out

The Human World needs my help.

I'm dreaming, right?

Yeah, that's it. This isn't happening right now. Twilight would not just come to my store and drop the most important good news. I must have been so depressed from all the failures of my Human World portal experiment that my mind is developing this dream to help me cope with pain and suffering.

Yet, why do my rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, stomach pit, eyes constantly dilating, and shaken nerves feel too real? Did I eat something terrible last night? Can you get a nervous breakdown in your sleep? Am I going to die before I see this dream end?

Twilight looked at me with concerned eyes. She slowly approached me. Her hoof steps sounded light and calm. "I know what I just said to you seems unrealistic and came out of nowhere, but I can assure you that this is real, and you are fully awake." Oh, I can feel her right wing gently patting my back. I instinctively leaned my head towards the Princess as if I wanted to feel the full effect of the nurturing. Wait, I suddenly realised something...

She's real. This is real.

THIS IS REAL!

I got out of the comforting embrace, looked at Twilight, and rapidly nodded my head. "I-I-I accept your request, Princess."

You're a moron! Why did you stutter? This is supposed to be the most important day of your life, Lyra Heartstrings. Be more formal with your approval of the Princess' request.

I knelt on the ground to tell Twilight of my seriousness. "I, Lyra Heartstrings of Equestria, humbly and fully accept the request of Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friend. I promise I will not fail this mission and obey every order you have issued."

"There's no need to be formal or prostrate, Lyra." The purple mare told. "We can just have a proper discussion as friends. I just made that ceremonial request speech to show my seriousness. I would have brought some of |Princess Celestia's Royal Guards, but, understandably, it might cause some... misunderstandings."

Thank you. Seeing Royal Guards in front of my store would make the neighbours think that I'm finally arrested for conducting multiple unregulated magical experiments and causing damage to the surrounding areas of my home.

I'm pretty sure Twilight has her fair share of committing some unethical activities. I'm not saying that to her, though, or she might have a panic attack that she will be sent to magic kindergarten and cause mass chaos throughout Ponyville. She went full-on cuckoo crazy when she forgot to send one... ONE friendship report to Princess Celestia on time. I still have nightmares of the doll. Oookay, I'm a little scared of this little alicorn now.

I looked at this crazy mare with a sheepish grin and chuckled. "Yeah, I don't want my neighbours to think I sold you a guitar." I looked at the rack of guitars behind me to hide my nervous expression from Twilight.

"Pfft! Ha ha ha."

Oh, thank Luna, she's laughing. Now calm your face, Lyra.

I took a deep breath, and words started coming from my mouth. "If I'm not being too impolite in asking, why is my title the Inquisitor of Magical Artefacts and Phenomena and what exactly is this job supposed to be?"

"Well, to answer your first question, Sunset personally picked the title because, in her words, it sounds more badass than my title."

Okay, I'll bite. "What was yours?"

"It is the Searcher of Magic Anomalies and Relic Tracking or SMART as an acronym."

"That's a... unique acronym." I politely said, forcing a toothy grin to hide the cringe at that title. "But I think we should stick with what your friends came up with. Your title sounds like it should be reserved for your future students. I mean, if you ever plan on establishing a magic school or a private academy for the arcane studies."

That reminds me. Doesn't she have a student already? I think her name is... Starbright something. Oh, I hope I get a student of my own... wait, even better, an apprentice. Yeah, an apprentice who helps me fight crime while making up rhymes. I hope I find a Human who will be my apprentice. Maybe someone who is a Human version of the Zebra Tribe.

Hee hee. Just the thought alone makes me giddy with delight.

"I thought you would say something like that. Sunset and everyone vetoed my idea for... exactly what you said." She pouted and rubbed the back of her head. "Despite the fact it took me an entire week of brainstorming for the right words for the title. I still don't know why they picked Inquisitor, except they told me they got this title from a fictional story called Star Wars. Sorry, but this title sounds aggressive and might leave a wrong impression on others. What even is Star Wars? "

Star Wars, huh? A piece of human culture and history that I have no idea what it is, but I can feel that this piece possesses some great importance if I research it.

Is it an era when Humans fought against the stars above with their technology? Did Human technology improve so rapidly that they took flight above the sky and enacted warfare against the celestial bodies?

I am both impressed and frightened by that development...

Hmmm, this gives me a good idea...

*CRACK*

I cracked my neck, which startled the Princess but not for long.

"Rather than being a fictional story, I speculate that this Star Wars is a small piece of Human World history. Human technology must have greatly advanced that they discovered the methods to interstellar travel, and they are at war with the stars themselves." I informed the confused mare. "I have no evidence or recorded documents relating to that subject that make this statement true, but..."

Okay, time to impress an egghead and show her why I'm the best and only candidate for this job.

I magically opened my backroom door, levitated some tattered books from my office bookshelf, and placed them on my wooden store counter.

"Human history has many unique, impactful events that defy pony logic."

I lifted an old book that illustrated a human king with long golden hair and a beard standing valiantly on a mountaintop with his shining sword raised to the sun.

"After years of scouring every corner of this World, I've acquired these ancient Human World history books. One of these books depicts a benevolent and incorruptible ruler, the legendary King Arthur Pendragon."

Ooh, I can see Twilight's eyes light up. Oh, she is super interested in this.

Twilight tried to reach her right hoof up, but I pulled the book back. "Oh no. You'll have to be careful as the books have degraded to the point that even the slightest physical touch will make them disintegrate."

"Interesting." Twilight gave me a bright, optimistic smile that gave Pinkie's smile a run for her bits. "You seem to have a full grasp on-"

"Please refrain from asking questions or commenting until I finish my lecture." I sternly said, like a strict teacher. I grabbed a thick and heavy notebook behind the counter. It had the King's name written on the front cover. "Don't worry; I've written notes and personal reports on this book a hundred times." I gave it to her.

She looked happy and impressed—more brownie points for Lyra.

"As I was saying... King Arthur is a hard-working AND intelligent peasant who became a legendary king without an equal. A single creature who rules an entire kingdom called Camelot oversees an entire country called England and is devoted to an omnipotent and omniscient divine deity named God, whose presence can be seen in other Human World literature. He has many trustworthy and strong companions who follow him as they participate in epic quests with dangerous obstacles and shifty adversaries that lead to precious rewards and valuable life-changing lessons. An ancient ruler that I wish I could meet."

I looked at the stunned mare.

"Apart from the God part, doesn't he sound familiar... Princess?" I slyly grinned at Twilight.

"Wow, just wow. That was impressive. Astonishing. Amazing. Spectacular." She exclaimed her praises towards me. "I already decided to pick you as a primary candidate, yet you went above and beyond to prove your capabilities. Your calm, adaptive behaviour after living in Ponyville for years and your absolute devotion to your research on Humans are one of the reasons why you are perfect for this mission."

*POOF*

Suddenly, she summoned a few rolled-up scrolls, blank papyrus paper, quills and an inkwell out of thin air. One of the unopened scrolls floated towards me. I grabbed it and opened it to see what she just gave me.

"Wait, is this-"

"Indeed, it is." Twilight nodded. "An Equestrian Royal Decree document that is written proof that your new career is official and personally approved by the highest authority in the Equestrian government, which is me. It has specific duties you will follow during your stay in the Human world. It also has a list of friendly ponies... I mean, Humans who will help with your temporary immigration."

I wish she didn't say temporary. I want to live in that World as long as physically possible.

"Immigration, huh?" I said, tilting my head. "So, I guess my new job's going to be long-term. Can't just casually jump to and from that World willy-nilly with the portal as I please, huh? I guess I'll need to wait for thirty moons-"

"Oh no." Twilight shook her head. "There's no need to worry about that anymore. I've developed a safe and artificial way to temporarily allow the portal to be opened without the chronological catalyst of the moon cycles."

...

...

"Shhh..." I inhaled through my nostrils so strongly that it might vacuum all the dust bunnies in my store.

"HAAA!" I loudly exhaled the accumulated air and dust from my mouth.

"AHEM! Tsk!" I coughed and clicked my tongue.

Twilight realised why I was acting like this as her eyes bulged like dinner plates, and she slowly backed away.

I should be mad.

I should be mad by that sudden news flash.

I should lunge my entire body and bottled rage at this important and influential political figure and give her a beating that would make her magical death battle against Tirek look like foals having a little harmless scuffle in kindergarten.

But I won't.

Because she is the only way I can get to the Human world.

...

Plus, I might be sent to Tartarus if I do.

Twilight looked down at the floor and sheepishly said. "... I'm sorry." Like a little foal who just got caught after they lied to their parents.

"It's fine," I replied, trying my hardest not to sound angry. "Let's just not mention this. EVER again."

Twilight just nodded her head.

"Anyway..." I said to continue the conversation and remove the tension in the air. "What is exactly my duties?"

I saw her lips quivering as if she wanted to cry, tell me something important or both. She regained her composure and opened her mouth.

"As you might have heard, I just returned from my trip to the Human world and did some damage-control-and-repair on the latest magic incident, unfortunately, caused by my human counterpart after being pressured by her supposed academic peers. I would have done something similar if I didn't have my friends beside me. "

Twilight had a sombre expression when she mentioned her counterpart.

She gulped and continued. "Haaa, I wish I could find all these magic anomalies at once, but my duties as the Princess of Friendship prevent me from doing so. This is where you come into the picture. We need a representative who possesses knowledge of Equestrian magic... and Human-related studies, which perfectly describe you."

Aww, shucks, you're making me blush... is what I should say out loud, but this is a profound moment.

"... Your official duties are searching for any magical items or phenomena before they have the chance to activate or unfortunately stumbled upon by the natives, and discreetly return them to my custody where I will either keep them safe in a highly secured vault or if the item or phenomenon is deemed completely hazardous or the leak can't be sealed, demolish them."

"Demolish?" I asked.

"It is to prevent more future magic incidents from happening again. We can't let innocent bystanders, especially ignorant and power-hungry individuals or organisations, abuse magic and destroy that World. We can't siphon them back into our World. Trust me, I tried."

Emphasis on the word "tried" had me worried. She sounded frustrated and exhausted as if the burden of handling the magic situation was overbearingly heavy.

"Okay, okay, I understand how important this is to you. I'll take care of the magic stuff," I said reassuringly. "I will carry the burden for you, Twilight," I said with a smile.

Twilight let out what sounded like a long, withheld, exhausted breath. I get the feeling the weight on her back lightened significantly.

"Yo-you have no idea how grateful I am for your acceptance." She let out a single tear from her right eye, which she immediately wiped. She gave me a determined gaze. "But this doesn't mean you will do all the work."

"Hey, I didn't expect to do so." I returned the gaze with my own. "I don't even know how to fulfil my duties... well, except-"

"Except what?"

"I guess I'll have to let the cat out of the bag." I anxiously said. The purple mare tilted her head in confusion at my statement.

I don't want to reveal a dark secret that I've never admitted to anypony, especially Bon Bon; however, I don't want to hide anything from Twilight to not sour our newly formed employee-employer relationship.

I produced a magic soundproof barrier that enclosed Twilight and me. "But before I tell you this, you must never tell a single soul or inanimate object about what I'm going to tell you."

"I-"

"Just nod your head if you fully agree."

She nodded her head.

I took a deep breath and said. "I can hear the rhythm of the magical frequency on... everything."

Twilight raised her eyebrow. "Don't all of us unicorns-"

"Mine is completely different." I interrupted, raising my right hoof in front of her. "My ability doesn't require using a spell or even having magic inside my body to sense magic."

"Wait, are you implying that..."

"It's a unique unicorn bloodline that only my family from my mother's side possesses," I informed her. "I've had this since... well, forever."

"Wha- That's incredible." She exclaimed. "I have never met a fellow unicorn who harbours a hereditary trait to sense magic naturally. It takes years of meditation and studying to get a slight tinge at best. Why have you not informed any scholars, especially me, about this? And how can you be certain you don't need magic to sense magic?"

I sighed. "The only reason I even bothered to tell you this is that nopony needs my ability. It's pretty much useless in this modern Equestrian era since some unicorn from way back then created a spell that helps them sense the frequency. I've suppressed it for years since I get constant migraines, and I start to... physically feel the magic around me, which is by far the weirdest and slimy sensation ever."

I sighed again as I hated talking about this trait of mine.

"To answer the second question, remember when Tirek sucked all of the ponies' magic in Equestria?" I saw Twilight cringed. "Well, that was the hard way on how I discovered that I don't need magic to sense magic. In my magically drained state, I felt every moment as I sensed everyone's magic drained from their bodies by that freak against nature. It was pure torture."

"I'm so sorry that you had to experience that." Twilight apologised as if it was her fault that I was in that situation, which wasn't.

"It's f-fine," I said, half-reassuringly. "I just want to tell you that I fully trust you, and I want to earn yours."

"I already trust you with all my heart, and you already have my trust, Lyra." She said. "You don't need to earn it."

I chuckled at how cheesy this moment was. I dispelled the barrier and let my own withheld, exhausted breath.

"Well, even if you have that amazing ability, I have invented some devices that will assist you with locating the anomalies if your abilities hinder your body." She informed. I can see a glint in her eyes that I've only ever seen when she's about to unveil her work to the public.

"Ugh, I appreciate that," I said. I opened the curtains of my shop to have better lighting. "Okay, let's see the gizmos you've produced out of that egghead brain of yours."

"Please don't call them gizmos, Lyra." Twilight grimaced. "You make them sound like toys, which aren't."

"Okay, geez. I struck a nerve there." I rolled my eyes. I just wanted to say gizmo since I could never say it.

*POOF*

Twilight magically summoned a large, heavy-looking black metal box and gently lowered it into the middle of my store. She opened the top lid and pulled out the first item, a thick black rubber rod the size of one of my forelegs.

If I have to speculate, this is made for at least two Human hands to handle, like with the carrot that my Human friend held or an Equestrian mouth sword but for human hands. It has a giant orb on the bottom hilt, a few arrow-tip-like bumps along the shaft and a bulging semisphere on the tip.

It seems a little long and thick for my taste.

Twilight levitated the rod thing in front of me. "Even if you have that special ability, you should always carry this detection device. As you can see by the handle, I've designed it for Human hands to get a good grip on it. The design of this tool was inspired by Sunset and our Human World friends when they gave me some items such as toy extendable swords and some advance-looking stringless crossbow called a Nerf gun."

She lowered the tool to let me physically inspect it thoroughly.

"For now, the earliest prototype closely resembles a thick rubber rod sword as a way to use it as a detection tool and a self-defence weapon. As for the shaft, I chose the colour black, made the material rubber silicon-based, and has an additional function of instantly collapsing inside the hilt to enhance its appearance as a toy sword. It would be best to carry it inconspicuously from normal humans, or they might assume you carry a deadly weapon. Do you see that orb on the bottom hilt?"

"Yeah," I answered. I looked closer at the orb and saw a small red arrow with a string attached to its middle. "What is it exactly?"

"The orb acts as a universal direction compass. You see the little arrow inside. It is to help you accurately direct where the magic anomalies are. These arrow-tip bumps that line up on the shaft are a way to indicate if you are hot or cold on the magic trail. It will light up to notify you that you are getting closer. And it has a vibrating function that signals you that you have discovered the source of the magic anomaly. I would be careful with the vibrations; it is a little... strong."

"I see, I see." I chimed, impressed by Twilight's ingenuity with this detection device. "How do you activate this thing?"

"Oh, it's straightforward," Twilight replied. "You just give the bottom orb a good clockwise twist."

I tried to do what she just instructed but-

"No, not right now!" Twilight screamed in surprise and fear. I instantly lowered the tool. "Please don't ever activate the device in this World. I've increased the magic detection sensitivity to the max, and it might explode if you even use it for a second while in this World. Trust me; I already made that mistake, so you don't have to."

"That mishap better had happened when you were alone, Twilight?" I said with a suspicious look.

"I wish I did, but.." She sheepishly muttered. "let's just say Spike will have to stay in a hospital bed for a week."

"Ugh, Twilight." I smacked my right forehoof on my forehead. I guess she still has that bad habit of not being careful with her experiments and not doing them where nopony or nobody will be near the assumed disaster.

"Spike's mostly fine... I think."

Tomorrow, I'm bringing flowers and a sack of gems for that underappreciated little dragon.

"Okay, duly noted," I said. "Don't turn on the magic rubbery dynamite stick detector in Equestria." I carefully returned the tool to the black box and pulled out the following item: a colourful ball with a circular button and black trim in the middle.

"I see you have grabbed the capsule ball, another Human World-inspired item." She informed me of the item. "I've created this unique capturing capsule to contain any magical anomaly that isn't an inanimate physical artefact. I designed the top component to have your aquamarine fur colour to help identify who captured the anomaly."

"Wait, who? There are others." I asked. I thought I was the only candidate she had chosen.

"Of course. Didn't I tell you about Sunset Shimmer?"

I stared up for a few seconds before a memory popped up. "The renegade unicorn who is the ex-student of Princess Celestia and the one who stole your Element of Magic crown that accidentally released our magic into the Human World."

"The very same, yes." She nodded. I saw her lip wince. I guess that event is still a sore subject to bring up. "Even though she is preoccupied with her new life, Sunset Shimmer still wants to assist with the security, containment and protection of the Human world's magic anomaly problems. She would be..."

"Well, isn't that necessarily sweet of her to do?" I sarcastically interrupted. "Are you sure she is reformed and not just pulling a scheme-"

"Lyra, please calm down," Twilight said. "I understand that it is hard to believe that she has redeemed herself after all the stories you heard about her, but-"

I rolled my eyes. "Look, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on whether she is truly redeemed, but I will not jeopardise my well-being on a stranger with a rough background..."

You know what? Uh oh, I think I'm revealing my true intentions. There's no time to hide it.

"...is what I would say if I were a typical pony afraid of her own shadow, monsters, and betrayals, but in all seriousness, I just don't care." I shrugged.

Twilight tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"As I said, I don't care that she is dangerous or might backstab me. I only brought it up to see how you would react. You truly care about that mare, even when she screwed over you and the Human World." I calmly replied. "As for me, what I truly care about is that I have a golden opportunity to enter the Human World without being denied or given excuses as to why I can't anymore." I slowly approached Twilight with a severe gaze.

She looks scared. She should be.

"As long as I fulfil my personal goals in the Human World, then I'll obey every little order you give me, and your friend, Sunset, can do whatever evil nonsense she wants as long as she doesn't get in my way," I hissed the last part. I can tell that Twilight's spine shivered, and her fur rose from the fear.

Using my magic, I returned the capsule ball to its rightful place, closed the black box, and returned it to Twilight. "You should keep these safe. I don't want to carry these to my house. I don't want anypony to know that I'll be leaving this dung pile town soon, or they might do something stupid like burn my house to burn down before I finalise the sale."

Twilight gulped. "Is that how you truly feel, Lyra?"

Oookay, I scared her. I think I went a little too far with my confession there. I should play this off as a prank before it's too late, and she might rescind the offer.

I took a deep breath and let out a false grin.

"So, how's my acting?"

"E-excuse me." Twilight stuttered.

"My tough mare act. Do you think it will intimidate the Humans and show that I'm not a pushover?" I said, attempting to sound convincing and... jokey. Is that even a word?

I looked at Twilight, trying not to twitch my facial muscles or look away. She squints her eyes as she scans any signs of me lying or looking a little suspicious... is what I think she's doing, or maybe she has some dust in her eyes.

Jeez, I need to clean this place.

Twilight shrugged her shoulders and sighed after a few agonising seconds of her examining me. "You got me there. That speech came out of nowhere."

Thank Celestia for her poor social skills. If anypony other than her had witnessed my little outbursts, I would have been in big trouble.

"Yeah, sorry for scaring you like that." I meekly apologised. "I heard this Sunset Shimmer has a bad personality and tends to intimidate others. I wanted to maintain this tough mare persona to not look weak in front of her."

Twilight shook her head. "I don't know where you heard those rumours from, but trust me, Sunset Shimmer is the polar opposite of what you just said. I-hmmm..." Suddenly, she examined my store with a critical gaze. What is she-

"Putting Sunset and your acting skills aside for now, what are your plans for your store, Lyra?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Do you plan on keeping your business open while working for me?" I answered.

*POOF*

She magically teleported the black box away, and a new item appeared; a small pouch. There must be bits inside from the cling and clang sounds from the bag.

"I was planning to clear the inventory and sell the property in a few months," I said. The idea just came out of my mouth before I realised it.

Twilight smiled at the news. "Well, you're just in luck. I plan on purchasing your store and business for a considerable amount to help fund your new career."

I looked at the mare with a disgruntled look. "But that would mean you have to purchase an instrument."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm only buying the business and the building. The Town Hall will take care of the inventory." She levitated the pouch towards me. "Here is an advance payment for the rights to your business."

I squinted my eyes at the size of the pouch. "This is the advance payment? I know I should be grateful even to get anything and shouldn't be greedy, but..." I shook the bag, only to hear single digits of bits tinkling inside. "Are you going to teleport more bags like this, or is this..."

"Yeah, sorry. That's all that's left." Twilight sheepishly grinned and rubbed the back of her head. "I had to give ninety per cent of the advance payment to City Hall since they have informed me that you haven't adequately filed for your property, income, and home tariffs for the past few years. "

"Excuse me?!" I exclaimed with a stunned expression. This is news to me. "What do you mean? Bon Bon does all of the finances. I do the bookkeeping for my store." I shook my head. "Maybe she got fed up with doing all the work and told me to do my taxes, but I wasn't listening, or she wrote it on the fridge or something."

"Well, maybe there must be some accounting issues on your side." Twilight anxiously shivered. "I was only there to get the proper paperwork for the estate and business ownership transfer, but instead, I got reamed by the desk clerk who assumed that I was you and threateningly demanded on the spot to pay for your financial issues."

"I've faced and defeated many horrifying adversaries, but that mean desk clerk is a terrifying force to be reckoned with. I teleported away before asking for the paperwork." She sniffed. She looked like she was ready to cry any moment now. "I-I'll have Spike-"

"Didn't you say he's in the hospital?" I corrected her.

"I'll have Pinkie get the documents for me." She rephrased, her shoulders slumped in defeat. "Everypony loves and knows Pinkie. She can-"

Uh oh. She's getting too mopey.

To find something distracting enough to stop Twilight from getting depressed, I looked at my clock and saw that we had been conversing for a few hours.

"Ouch, look at the time. We've been talking for so long that it is almost dinnertime." I pointed at my clock in an obvious manner and looked at the front door. "And yet nopony has even knocked on the door." I sighed that I didn't have any customers.

"Oh," Twilight said, her face cringed. "I was only meant to brief you on the important details for a few minutes, but it looks like we've overextended our chat a bit." She shook her head. "This is going to disrupt my schedule."

"Sorry, I didn't offer some tea and treats." I sincerely apologised to Twilight and myself since we had to have that long conversation with parched mouths and empty stomachs. "Maybe I can-"

Twilight dismissively waved her right hoof. "No, I have to go. I'm supposed to visit Spike at the hospital." She glanced at the clock and made an annoyed expression. "Now I have to teleport there before visiting hours are over." Her horn began to flare a shimmering purple magic. "Sorry for disrupting your business hours and the meagre advance payment. I promise I'll ..."

"Just go." I dismissed the purple mare, who nodded. "Oh, tell Spike I said hi and hope he gets well soon."

"I will." with those final words, Twilight instantly disappeared with a burst of magic sparks, bringing the black box of her devices with her.

I looked around at my customerless musical instruments shop, then at my meagre profits and groaned.

You know what? I'm just going home right now since staying one more hour in this place is fruitless. The only profit I've earned today is the small sack of bits that Twilight gave me after... ugh, I forgot to sign the documents she told me that she painstakingly obtained from Town Hall. Should I go to the hospital now or...

Eh, oh well, maybe later. Firstly, I should tell Bon Bon the excellent news, then go to Twilight's crystal castle and sign those papers. Oh, I should grab my lightning-in-a-bottle potion from my office. I'll give it to Bon Bon. The generator needs some more juice anyway.

Hmmm... While at it, I should get some boxes from the Post Office to put the instruments and other stuff in my store. I hope Derpy's still open at this hour.

*Grumble*

I heard my stomach grumbling. I forgot it's almost time for dinner. I'll do the grunt work tomorrow. Gonna pack some stuff for the trip tonight.

I grab some crates from the backroom and put all of my books related to the Human World. I will bring these with me since I might need a quick restudy on Human culture and history. I don't want to leave a wrong first impression on the Humans and this Sunset character. She's going to be my senior and guide to the Human World.

Okay, now that I've packed everything I need, it's time to say farewell to this failing store.

I walked towards the door, opened it, walked through it and glanced back at my store. I never had any good memories in this place, even at times when I sold or repaired some of my so-called 'friends' instruments. It was just business to fund my Human World research.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye," I muttered to the store. Only my echo saying 'goodbye' could be heard.

Time to go home.

I can't wait to tell Bon Bon the good news. She won't believe-

What the?! My left forehoof felt something leafy and squishy. Smells like a salad. I looked down...

Did somepony throw their food on my door?